As we begin 2012, we have great news to report about our beloved vessel. Over the past year, the ship has literally come back to life thanks to the extraordinary efforts of her many friends, our incredible volunteers, and most importantly, our donors without whose financial support, we would not be here today.

We think you’ll enjoy Virginia’s Top 10 Great News items from 2011!

•  Great News #10: Virginia successfully completed the U.S.C.G. inspection for an attraction vessel.
•  Great News #9: Virginia was dry-docked, her hull scraped clean and caulked tight.
•  Great News #8: We received immeasurable support and assistance from members of the maritime community including Lyon Shipyard, Colonna’s Shipyard, Crofton Diving, Bay Diesel, Metro Marine to name a few.
•  Great News #7: We also received tremendous support and assistance from two very important maritime associations, the Virginia Ship Repair Association and the Virginia Maritime Association.
•  Great News #6: We received notice that our grant request for $250,000 for the Transportation Enhance Act has been approved. Though these funds can only be used to reduce construction debt, it allows us to funnel other donations to the important work of maintenance and repair to get Virginia sailing.
•  Great News #5: Because of your support, we have now contracted for the new masts, booms, gaffs, and topmasts that are needed to replace the originals.
•  Great News #4: Mast stepping is scheduled for April 2012.
•  Great News #3: Because of the extraordinary efforts of our faithful volunteers, Virginia’s bright work has been varnished, below decks cleaned and general care, including protecting the ship from Hurricane Irene, accomplished.
•  Great News #2: We are close to finalizing the details of our relationship with Nauticus that will place Virginia in the center of the very exciting new community sailing center to be located there.
•  Great News #1: Virginia will be ready for OpSail Virginia 2012, the extraordinary collaborative event among OpSail National, the United States Navy, Norfolk Festevents, and hundreds of other national, state and local organizations in June of 2012. This will be the largest maritime event in our region’s history and Virginia will be prominent vessel among the Commonwealth’s fleet!

In addition to the in-kind donations that have reduced our expenses while providing much needed work, we have also continued to receive generous donations from members of our Board and the many friends of the schooner Virginia.  Without this support, we could not have kept up with our maintenance and other expenses.

Our news is great but our work list to prepare for sailing in the spring is also great and we urgently need your support now to keep this momentum going. Please consider making a donation today.

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